SWINDON Robins have confirmed Jason Doyle will miss tonight's Elite League Grand Final first leg against Poole after suffering a broken a bone in his neck.

The Australian suffered a heavy crash in the Premier League Riders’ Championship at Sheffield yesterday afternoon, and was taken to hospital to be checked out.

Swede Seb Alden was placed on standby for tonight's first leg against the Pirates at Blunsdon in case he was unable to ride, and several hours later Doyle revealed the extent of his injuries on Twitter.

He said: “Thank u every1 for MSG feel special! I broke my c7 in my neck shame it had to end like this!”

The news comes as a big blow to the Robins’ title hopes, and is a cruel way for Doyle’s season to end, particularly as he missed both legs of last season’s Elite League final through injury while a Poole rider.

Alden will come in at reserve for the Robins, with Simon Stead moving up to number four.

Doyle will also miss Somerset's Premier League final which is due to begin at the weekend.

Somerset promoter Debbie Hancock said: “The weekend started out so well with us qualifying for the Premier League Championship Final, but instead of celebrating we are having to come to terms that we will be contesting both that and our League Cup Final without Jason.

“The hospital say that the break is not serious and he doesn’t appear to have suffered any other damage apart from some bruising in the rib area, and that the break should heal naturally over the next 6-8 weeks, during which time Doyley will have to wear a neck support.”